Oklahoma’s quail
conservation efforts received an important boost from the Northeast Oklahoma
Chapter of Quail Unlimited at the May meeting of the Oklahoma Wildlife
Conservation Commission.

The Chapter donated
$6,500 to an exciting ongoing project being led by Mike Sams and Sara Bales,
biologists for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The biologists
are using GIS (Geographic Information System) tools to identify large areas of
habitat appropriate for quail restoration projects, then will work with local
landowners to improve quail habitat and populations on their property through
farm bill incentive programs.

“We have always
enjoyed working with the Wildlife Department over the years and we know that
this donation will help to restore Oklahoma’s quail populations,” said Bob
Hayes, with the Northeast Oklahoma Chapter of Quail Unlimited.

In other business,
the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a resolution to designate
June 4-5 as Free Fishing Days in Oklahoma and recognizes June 4-12 as National
Fishing and Boating Week. Oklahoma was the first state in the nation to offer
free fishing days 23 years ago and has since been followed by dozens of other
states that have established similar free fishing days.

"Free fishing days
are a great opportunity to introduce family and friends to fishing," said David
Warren, information and education chief for the Wildlife Department. “This is
also a good time to acknowledge the tremendous economic impact that fishing has
in our state. Oklahoma’s 774,000 anglers pump approximately $1 billion into the
state’s economy each year.”

Resident and
non-resident fishing licenses are not required on the free fishing days,
although anglers should note that local or municipal permits may be required on
those days. Anglers must also follow all other fishing regulations.

Also at the May
meeting, Commissioners accepted a donation from the Green Country Buckmasters
Club of a building shelter for Cookson Wildlife Management Area. The group will
donate all materials and provide the labor to build the 24’ x 30’ shelter.

“Last year our group
cooked meals for the disabled hunters during the controlled hunts at Cookson. At
that time we recognized the need for a shelter from the wind and rain for this
event and other events like it,” said Gene Pittman, with the Green Country
Buckmasters Club.

In other business,
the Commission recognized a pair of Department employees for their outstanding
service to the sportsmen of the state. Employees recognized were:

Ian Campbell,
northeast Oklahoma private lands technician, for 20 years of service; and Randy
Draper, assistant manager at the Durant State Fish Hatchery, for 20 years of
service.

Also at the meeting,
the Commission approved the donation of a pickup truck from the United States
Fish and Wildlife Service. Forfeited as part of a plea agreement, the truck is
valued at over $19,000 and the Wildlife Department will pay the lien of $8,811.

The Wildlife
Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Wildlife Commission establishes state
hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department, and
indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities.
Commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The next scheduled
Commission meeting is June 6 at the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
headquarters (auditorium), at the southwest corner of 18th and North Lincoln,
Oklahoma City at 9:00 a.m.

Free is what most
people key in on when they hear “Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days.” However, while
you don’t need a license to fish June 4 and 5, when it comes to fishing’s impact
on the state, you could say there is certainly no free lunch.

"Free Fishing Days
offers anglers a great chance to introduce someone new to fishing, and it also
offers a good opportunity for us all to take a look at the numbers behind
fishing," said Nels Rodefeld, assistant chief of information and education for
the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Conducted every five years, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and
Wildlife-Associated Recreation, reveals some fascinating information about
our nation’s anglers. The American Sportfishing Association also looks at the
Fish and Wildlife Service’s national survey data, analyzing it to reveal some
economic figures that we can all relate to.

Nationally, 44 million Americans fish. That
means more Americans fish than play golf and tennis combined. In Oklahoma,
774,000 people fish (that’s almost 1 in 4).

Oklahoma anglers generated more than $484
million in retail sales, which rippled through the economy to generate $992
million in economic output for the state and supported 11,000 jobs.
Fishing-related purchases in Oklahoma generated $27.5 million in state tax
revenues and $25 million in federal income tax.

“When we begin talking about the economic
impact of anglers, sometimes it’s easy to forget that anglers are also the
primary source of funding for fisheries management and aquatic conservation
activities,” Rodefeld said.

Through their purchase of fishing
licenses, and through special federal taxes on fishing equipment and motorboat
fuel – by way of a program called the Sport Fish Restoration Program – anglers
fund fish habitat and stocking programs, public fishing and boating access
improvements and aquatic education events. In Oklahoma, where the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation does not receive any general state tax
appropriations, Sport Fish funds generate between $4 million and $5 million
annually for fisheries conservation and management.

“As important as it is to discuss these
numbers, it is important that we remember the underlying message of National
Boating and Fishing Week,” Rodefeld said. “Fishing is a healthy social pastime
that provides quality recreation, helps improve our aquatic resources, and
enriches all our lives.”

During Oklahoma’s
Free Fishing Days, June 4-5, state fishing licenses (including trout licenses
and fishing and hunting legacy permits) are not required for anyone, anywhere in
the state. Although most municipalities, such as Oklahoma City, waive city
licenses in celebration of Free Fishing Days, anglers should check with local
authorities before fishing in city-managed waters. Those headed out for a trip
will want to pick up a copy of the "2005 Oklahoma Fishing Guide" because all
other statewide regulations still apply. Fishing Guides are available at
Department installations and hunting and fishing license dealers across the
state, as well as the Wildlife Department's Web site at
www.wildlifedepartment.com.

The fifth annual International
Migratory Bird and Plant Conservation Day (IMBO) will be Saturday, May 14, at
the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. Activities from 6:30 a.m. to 1:00
p.m. focus on spring bird migration and the way plants and birds rely on each
other and the earth’s important resource, water, to maintain Oklahoma’s natural
world.

The festival kicks off with a
free, early-morning bird count from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. where participants
will learn how to identify plant and wild bird species on zoo grounds.
Registration begins at 6 a.m. at the Zoo’s Global Plaza, and participants are
encouraged to bring binoculars.

The bird counts will be led by
several plant and wildlife guides from the Zoo and the Department of Wildlife
Conservation such as the Wildlife Department’s Information Specialist Jenny
Thom.

“May is possibly the best time of
year to view our neotropical migrants,” Thom said.

Neotropical migrant birds are
those that winter in Central and South America and trek to North America to nest
and raise their young. The orange and black Baltimore oriole and the solid blue
indigo bunting are only two of about 60 birds that migrate hundreds of miles to
Oklahoma each spring.

“The morning bird count would be
great for a beginning birder to get a feel for what birding is all about. We’ll
see migrants like purple martins and scissortail flycatchers, our state bird,
but we’ll also spot year-round residents like the Eastern bluebird and American
goldfinch,” Thom said.

Hosted by the American Association
of Zookeepers, the Zoo's Horticulture staff and the Association of Zoological
Horticulture, event activities continue from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and are free
with regular Zoo admission. Interactive and educational displays focus on
gardening tips that provide details about plants that are drought-tolerant,
favorites to birds, and native to Oklahoma. There also will be self-guided
garden tours (Zoo admission required) and free temporary tattoos for children
while supplies last. The first 100 people to visit the Plant Conservation
Display in the Zoo’s main plaza beginning at 9 a.m. will receive a free IMBD
2005 poster.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and
Botanical Garden is located at 2101 NE 50th Street, Oklahoma City, OK. Visit the
Zoo’s Web site at www.okczoo.com or call (405) 424-3344 for more information. To
register for the bird count, please call the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation at (405) 521-4616.

The Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation is hosting one of the most unique educational events
ever held in the state – the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo. The inaugural event
will be held August 27 and 28 at the Lazy E Arena just north of Oklahoma
City and the ambitious project is receiving generous financial support from
sponsors across the state and nation.

“It has certainly been
encouraging to receive so much backing from so many businesses and
individuals. This Wildlife Expo is a big event and it’s great to see that so
many others share our vision,” said Greg Duffy, director of the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation. “This truly shows the importance these
folks place on conserving our natural resources and teaching everyone about
the fantastic opportunities available in the Oklahoma outdoors.”

To date more
than 33 sponsors have donated at least $2,500 cash or in-kind services to
the Expo and other partners have also made important contributions. The
Weatherby Foundation and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
serve as Founding Sponsors for this unique event.

Their donations have
helped in the development of Expo exhibits including a large water feature
that will be built inside the Lazy E Arena. Other sponsors have donated
items that will be given away at the Expo including an ATV donated by P&K
Equipment. Thanks to sponsor donations, nine lifetime fishing or hunting
licenses, along with 32 annual licenses will be given away at the Expo.

With more
than 100 different booths and activities already confirmed, there will be
plenty to do during the free, two-day event. Young and old alike will be
sure to find something that interests them, from shotgun shooting to a live
butterfly exhibit, to fishing, to training retrievers.

For more
information about the Wildlife Expo, hosted by the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife Conservation, log on to wildlifedepartment.com or call (405)
522-6279.

With more than 250,000
ponds in the state, it’s no wonder that ponds are popular destinations for
thousands of anglers. In fact, some of the state’s best fishing can be found
at small, out-of-the-way farm ponds.

“It’s hard to
beat a day of pond fishing. It’s where many of us started fishing and it is
always enjoyable to get back to the basics,” said Barry Bolton, assistant
chief of fisheries for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

According to
Bolton, now is a great time of year to give pond fishing a try.

“And the nice
thing is that you don’t need a boat or a bunch of equipment to be a
successful pond angler,” Bolton said.

Those interested in learning
more about pond management will want to come to the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo,
August 27-28 at the Lazy E Arena. Langston University’s Aquaculture
Extension Program specialists are hosting a special seminar which will
include information on identifying and controlling pond vegetation,
stocking, management, and even pond construction.

Ponds provide
Oklahoma’s sportsmen ample opportunity for a good fishing experience, but
don’t forget to obtain permission from the landowner.

Before heading out, anglers
should consult the “2005 Oklahoma Fishing Guide” for regulations and license
requirements. Among various license exemptions, farm pond owners and their
immediate family members are exempt from having to purchase a fishing
license provided they are Oklahoma residents and fishing only on property
they own. Specifically, resident owners or tenants, their spouses, parents,
grandparents, children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouse who
fish in private ponds on land owned or leased by such owner or tenant are
exempt from purchasing a fishing license. However, persons residing in
another state who own land in Oklahoma but do not live on that land are not
exempt. The guides are available at fishing and hunting license vendors
across the state or by logging on to the Department’s Web site at
www.wildlifedepartment.com.

Officials at the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation are teaming up with the Oklahoma
Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry to kick out an alien invader
in several Oklahoma City lakes. Alligatorweed, an aquatic plant originally
from South America, is as menacing as its name implies.

“The main
problem with alligatorweed is its invasive nature. It can grow in large mats
in water up to six feet deep. It just takes over and that is not good for
fish, boating, aesthetics and it’s certainly not good for native plants,”
said Gene Gilliland, senior fisheries biologist for the Oklahoma Department
of Wildlife Conservation.

“It is one of
fastest growing plants I have ever seen. In the past three years it seems
like it has grown exponentially,” Doub said.

Doub and other
homeowners in the area formed the Spring Creek Lake Alliance to find a way
to control the alien plant. Of the 14 lakes in the Spring Creek drainage
area, seven are infested with alligatorweed. Members of the Alliance have
tried several methods to rid the beautiful lakes of the ugly weeds including
mechanically removing them and spraying them with herbicides, but these
efforts have been ineffective.

“No matter
what we do, it just keeps growing and growing,” Doub said.

Fortunately,
alligatorweed has an Achilles heel – the alligatorweed flea beetle also
native to South America. The voracious beetles feed exclusively on
alligatorweed, and they don’t stop eating until the alligatorweed is gone.

“These beetles have been
used since the 1960’s to control alligatorweed infestations in other states
like Texas, North Carolina, Florida and Alabama,” said Jeanetta Cooper, pest
survey coordinator at the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and
Forestry. "Using biological controls versus other forms of control such as
mechanical or chemical reduces the expense of treatments and potential
environmental risks.”

The beetles, which are
yellow with black stripes, are being shipped free from a U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers office in Jacksonville, Florida.

“All we have to do is open
the Styrofoam containers, set them next to the alligatorweed and hope the
beetles are hungry,” Gilliland said.

Homeowners on several of
the area lakes will be assisting with the release, scheduled for Friday, May
13.

“It may take a little
while to see results, but we are very optimistic about this,” Cooper said.
“The beetles do not overwinter this far north, so if we need to release some
more beetles next spring then we will.”

Staff from the two state
agencies will be monitoring the success of the beetle release throughout the
coming months.

The alligatorweed
infestations were likely the result of intentional or unintentional releases
of plants from a backyard water garden that spread downstream through the
Spring Creek chain of lakes. The Wildlife and Agriculture departments are
joining forces in combating the spread of aquatic nuisance species by
educating water gardeners and aquatic plant retailers and nurseries through
a program called “Don’t Free Lily.”

The Oklahoma Department of
Agriculture, Food, and Forestry Plant Industry Division must review and
approve permits that request the shipment of plants, diseases, and insects
not indigenous to Oklahoma.

A list of illegal aquatic
plant species and those that the agencies consider “Species to Watch” are
listed on the ODWC Web site at www.wildlifedepartment.com. For more information
contact the Oklahoma Fishery Research Lab in Norman at (405) 325-7288.

Could you use a brand-new ATV? How about a
lifetime fishing license or some duck decoys - all these prizes and much more
will be given away at the Wildlife Expo August 27 and 28 thanks to generous
sponsors.

“The
Expo is going to be a fantastic event for participants, and the fact that you
might be able to walk away with one of these great prizes is just icing on the
cake,” said Greg Duffy, director of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation.

Thanks
to P&K Equipment, one lucky Expo participant will win a brand new John Deere 500
ATV. The ATV features automatic transmission and four wheel drive and will be
given away at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28.

“Without the support of outside sponsors we would never be able to give away so
many great prizes,” Duffy said.

A total
of 32 annual and nine lifetime hunting, fishing licenses will be given away at
the event. The doors open at 8 a.m. and first license giveaways will begin at
10:30, so get there early to increase your odds.

Individuals will also have some extra motivation
to participate in the unique hunter education course offered at the Expo. One of
the Expo hunter education course participants will win a lifetime hunting
license.

With
more than 100 different booths and activities already confirmed, there will be
plenty to do during the free, two-day event, which will be held August 27 and
28, at the Lazy E Arena near Guthrie. Young and old alike will be sure to find
something that interests them at the Expo from shotgun shooting, to a live
butterfly exhibit, to dog training.

Participants who pre-register for the Expo will be eligible for a special
lifetime combination license giveaway. Pre-registration will be available soon
at wildlifedepartment.com.

For complete details on Expo giveaways, including
rules and eligibility log on to wildlifedepartment.com

On the whole, Oklahomans who hunt and fish are an
upstanding group of men and women, but like any large group there is an
occasional bad apple. Thanks to the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation's "Operation Game Thief" program, hunters and anglers have a method
to report those who may not respect our natural resources.

“Operation Game Thief" allows a citizen the
opportunity to anonymously report wildlife violations and receive cash rewards
for arrests that lead to convictions.

"Thanks to the help of concerned citizens,
'Operation Game Thief' has led to the conviction of over 50 individuals since
January 2001. The program is a great way to help protect our state's wildlife
and fisheries resources for future generations," said Dennis Maxwell, assistant
chief of law enforcement for the Wildlife Department. "The ‘Operation Game
Thief’ program is supported by donations from private citizens, but the program
also receives donations from organizations such as the Oklahoma State Game
Wardens Association."

Anyone with information regarding illegal harvest of fish and
wildlife is encouraged to call the Wildlife Department's Operation Game Thief
Hotline at 1-800-522-8039 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Callers may
remain anonymous and are eligible for a cash reward.

Senator James Inhofe pledged his support again this year for the
State Wildlife Grants program, the most important new conservation program in
the past 50 years for keeping fish and wildlife populations healthy. Fifty-five
other Senators and 128 members of the U.S. House of Representatives also signed
letters urging continued funding for the program.

“The State Wildlife Grants program is one of our nation’s greatest
opportunities to prevent species from needing the emergency care of the
Endangered Species Act. Taking action to conserve wildlife before it becomes
endangered is environmentally sound and fiscally smart,” Sen. Inhofe said.

The State Wildlife Grants program works by giving each state
federal funding for wildlife species not hunted, fished or already endangered.
In Oklahoma, the program benefits 82 percent of the wildlife from songbirds –
whose populations have declined dramatically over the past 30 years - to horny
toads, to wildlife species that occur nowhere else but Oklahoma.

Andy McDaniels, executive director of the Oklahoma Wildlife
Federation, was among a team of six Oklahomans who traveled to Washington, D.C.
to speak with Oklahoma’s Congressmen about funding the program for 2006.

In spite of across-the-board budget cuts, Sen. Inhofe says
“State Wildlife Grants is a valuable investment in prevention” and supports the
President’s budget, which recommends funding the program at $75 million dollars.
That would allocate approximately $930,000 to the Wildlife Department in 2006.

McDaniels has spoken to hundreds of sports club members and
other citizens throughout Oklahoma. He said they overwhelmingly agree State
Wildlife Grants is vital to conserving Oklahoma’s Wildlife.

“There’s annual federal funding for hunted, fished and
endangered species, but State Wildlife Grants is the only federal program for
the others. It’s existed for five years, but it’s not automatic. State Wildlife
Grants gets appropriated at different funding levels each year,” McDaniels said.

Nationally, the number of species on the federal threatened and
endangered species list has increased by 35 percent since 1992 and now numbers
more than 1,000 species according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. State
Wildlife Grants works to reduce the number of species placed on that list by
restoring rare and declining wildlife populations.

The Wildlife Department has received $4.6 million since 2001
from this program. Distributed in the form of cost-share grants to wildlife
researchers and other partners, the program has already contributed to keeping
the swift fox off the candidate list for endangered species listing.

The State Wildlife Grants program is also working to benefit
approximately 350 species of songbirds and has helped to begin the Great Plains
Trail of Oklahoma. It also has funded both paddlefish population surveys and
comprehensive wildlife surveys on several Oklahoma wildlife management areas, in
addition to other projects.

To learn more about State Wildlife Grants in Oklahoma, look in the
May/June 2005 issue of “Outdoor Oklahoma,” or view the magazine article at
www.wildlifedepartment.com by selecting the Natural Resources link.

A fishing trip with
friends or family is likely one of your oldest and dearest memories from your
childhood. You can pass those memories on to the next generation by taking a kid
fishing during Oklahoma’s Free Fishing Days, June 4-5. State fishing licenses or
permits are not required by anyone, anywhere in the state these two days.

"You don’t have to
make a grand excursion of it. Just go somewhere close and fish for sunfish and
you don’t have to have a bunch of fancy equipment – you can have a lot of fun
with a fishing pole and some worms," said Barry Bolton, assistant fisheries
chief for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. "It may seem like a
simple afternoon trip to you, but that child might remember it forever.”

During Oklahoma’s
Free Fishing Days, June 4-5, state fishing licenses (including trout licenses
and Fishing and Hunting Legacy Permits) are not required for anyone, anywhere in
the state. Although most municipalities, such as Oklahoma City, waive city
licenses in celebration of Free Fishing Days, anglers should check with local
authorities before fishing in city-managed waters. Those headed out for a trip
will want to pick up a copy of the "2005 Oklahoma Fishing Guide" because all
other statewide regulations still apply. Fishing Guides are available at
Department installations and hunting and fishing license dealers across the
state, as well as the Wildlife Department's Web site at
www.wildlifedepartment.com.

If you’ve heard a
little about the upcoming Wildlife Expo and want to learn more about this great
free event – then you need to pick up the latest issue of “Outdoor Oklahoma”
magazine.

“We tried to pack in
as much information as possible about the Expo. In fact we have 20 full pages of
Expo information in this issue,” said Nels Rodefeld, editor of “Outdoor
Oklahoma” magazine, the official bi-monthly publication of the Oklahoma
Department of Wildlife Conservation. “I think everyone will be encouraged to
attend this unique event, because there is a little something for everyone.”

Whether
you are seven years old or 70, it's never too late to catch your first fish,
paint a wildlife picture, or try shooting a bow and arrow. Best of all, you can
do these activities and much, much more at the Oklahoma Wildlife Expo. The free,
inaugural event will be held August 27 and 28 at the Lazy E Arena just north of
Oklahoma City between Edmond and Guthrie.

Included in the issue is an article on a unique hunter education class that will
be held in conjunction with the Expo. The class will consist of hands-on
activities and best of all, one lucky class participant will win a lifetime
hunting license. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation is
coordinating the monumental event, which is designed to promote and perpetuate
Oklahomans appreciation of the state’s wildlife and natural resources.

The current issue
also features a special profile on the Red Slough Wildlife Management Area in
far southeastern Oklahoma. The story chronicles the area’s rich history from an
historic rice farm to a wildlife paradise.

Also included in the
May/June issue is a comprehensive article on State Wildlife Grants, a unique
federal program designed to keep all of Oklahoma’s wildlife healthy.

Individual copies of
the May/June issue of “Outdoor Oklahoma” are available for $3 if picked up at
any of the Wildlife Department's offices, or $4 by mail (mail request with a
certified check or money order to Outdoor Oklahoma, P.O. Box 53465, Oklahoma
City, OK 73152). One-year subscriptions, for only $10, are available by calling
(800)777-0019, or you can order over the Internet by logging on to the
Department's Web site at
www.wildlifedepartment.com.

The sixth
annual Endeavor Games for athletes with physical disabilities, conducted by
University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Disabled Sports and Events, will be held
June 9-12, 2005. Approximately 300 athletes will participate in a wide variety
of sports including air rifles and archery target shooting.

“This is a
great event and we are looking forward to being a part of it,” said Lance Meek,
hunter education coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife
Conservation. “I’ve heard there will be some outstanding shooters participating
this year.”

The
Endeavor Games is hosting 10 members of the U.S. military services who acquired
permanent disabling injuries while serving for the United States of America in
Iraq and in the global war on terrorism. The Endeavor Games is providing
airfare, lodging, meals, travel expenses and full passes for all events of the
2005 Endeavor Games to the 10 soldiers and their guests.

“We are
honored to have the chance to host these 10 amazing soldiers for the weekend at
the Endeavor Games,” said Katrina Shaklee, Assistant Director of UCO Disabled
Sports and Events. “The entire City of Edmond is rallying behind this unique
opportunity and we hope to provide the soldiers with a weekend full of
inspiration and opportunity.”